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U. S. A. 



MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 

OF THE 

United States Centennial Commission, 



Philadelphia, August 1872, 



From the Philadelphia Inquirer, Ang. 28, 1872. 

MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE— THE BU- 
SINESS TRANSACTED. 

A meeting of the Executive Committee of the 
United States Centennial Commission was held at 
noon yesterday, in the rooms of the commission, 
Continental Hotel. 

There were present Hon. Daniel J. Morrell, chair- 
man ; Professor William P. Blake, executive com- 
missioner ; Colonel W. Wood, of Virginia ; Bobert 
H. Lamborn, of Wyoming, and John L. Shoemaker, 
counselor of the commission. 

Letters were read from Hon. J. V. L. Pruyn, of 
New York, and Hon. Prescott Smith, of Maryland, 
staling that they would arrive this evening. 

John G. Stevens, of New Jersey, being now in 
Europe, could not attend. 

Commissioners Corliss, of Khode Island, and 
John Lynch, of Louisiana, sent letters regretting 
their inability to be present, and making valuable 
suggestions concerning the business before the 
committee. 

After some preliminary routine business the 
question of inviting the Centennial Committees of 
the Board of Trade, Commercial Exchange, 
Franklin Institute, Drug Exchange and other 
bodies, editors, and prominent citizens interested 
in the work, to meet the committee, was consid- 
ered and a list prepared. This meeting, to be held 
on Thursday noon, at the Common Council Cham- 
ber, is intended to be for consultation and a gen- 
eral expression of views concerning the best 
methods of advancing the work of the Centennial 
Commission. 

A general statement of progress will, probably, 
be made to the meeting, considerable work having 
been done by the executive and other committees 
since the last general meetimg of the commission 
in May. 



From the Philadelphia Inquirer, Aug. 29, 1872. 

MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AT THE 
CONTINENTAL YESTERDAY— THE MEETING TO BE 
HELD TO-DAY. 

A meeting of the Executive Committee of the 
United States Centennial Commissioners was held 



yesterday in Parlor No. 16 of the Continental, Hon. 
D. J. Morrell in the chair. 

In addition to those present at the meeting of the 
day previous, Hon. Prescott Smith, of Maryland, 
and Hon. J. V. L. Pruyn, of New York, were in at- 
tendance. 

The question of the adoption of rules providing 
for the organization of the Centennial Board of 
Finance and the distribution of stock was under 
discussion for several hours. 

The European expositions, and particularly the 
one held at Vienna, have been discussed at length 
in an informal manner, and it is the expressed de- 
sire to iearn from all of them their best features, 
and to escape their defects in our coming Exposi- 
tion of 1876. 

A meeting will be held in the Common Council 
chamber at noon to-day, to which editors and 
leading citizens are invited to discuss the prospects 
of the Great Exposition. 



From the Philadelphia Inquirer, Ang. 30, 1872. 

Oar Nation's Birth — Tbe Centennial Cele- 
bration in 1876 — Movement to Promote 
its Success— Consultation Meeting in tbis 
City— Views of the Commissioners and 
Otbers— Philadelphia to Take tbe Initia- 
tory Steps— How tbe Project is to be 
Carried Out— Tbe Centennial Board of 
Finance— Bules for tbe Issuing of Stock- 
Funds Required for Preliminary Work— 
Our Government and tbe Austrian Ex- 
position — Letter from an American in 
Vienna. 

The Executive Committee of the United States 
Centennial Commission met at noon yesterday, in 
the Common Council chamber, for the purpose of 
consulting with the various committees of City 
Councils, Board of Trade, Commercial Exchange, 
Drug Exchange, Franklin Institute, Board of 
Brokers, Park Commission, Historical Society and 
other bodies, newspaper editors, merchants and 
others, upon the best method of promoting the 
success of the centennial celebration. The meeting 
was a large one, and much interest was manifested 
in the proceedings. 



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Among the prominent gentlemen present were 
the following: — 

Hon. D. J. Morrell, of Pennsylvania ; Hon. Leon- 
ard Myers, of Pennsylvania ; Messrs. John V. L. 
Pruyn, of New York; Samuel Powel, of Rhode 
Island; John S. Adams, of Florida: Andrew J. 
Sweeney, of West Virginia : Robert H. Lamborn, of 
Wyoming; Wm. P. Blake, of Connecticut; Hon. W. 
Prescott Smith, of Maryland; Colonel Walter W. 
Wood, of Virginia; Colonel Daniels, of Richmond, 
Virginia: Senator John Scott, of Pennsylvania; 
H. T. Darlington, of Chester county ; Hon. Seth I. 
Comly, collector of the port; Messrs. Henry Lewis, 
J. B. Lippincott, N. B. Browne, William W. Hard- 
ing, J. F. Orne, John M. Clayton, Edward Shippen, 
Colonel J. Ross Snowden, ex-Mayor Fox, Stephen 
Anderson, James M. Robb, Frederick Fraley, 
James L. Claghorn, J. H. Michener, John .Rice, 
Samuel G. King, S. E. Malone, Joseph R. Wilkins, 
Jr., vice president Of Board of Brokers; J. E. 
Mitchell, E. Pennington, Uriah H. Painter, S. W. 
Cattell, Dr. Morwitz, E. W. C. Greene, John L. 
Shoemaker, General Louis Wagner, Hon. William 
B. Mann, Messrs. Henry Bumm, Charles M. Hall, 
John Fareira, Major Clayton McMichael, Major 
Joseph F. Tobias, Samuel L. Sinedley, chief engi- 
neer and surveyor; George A. Smith, Gustavus 
Remak, John R. Dungleson, John Wanamaker, Ed- 
win H. Fitler, Henry Glass, Dr. De Dobeler, J. 
E. Kingsley, William V. McGrath, Mr. Cloihier, 
of the firm of Strawbridge & Clothier, and others. 

Called to Order. 

At a quarter past twelve o'clock Hon. D. J. Mor- 
rell called the assemblage to order, and stated that 
the meeting was of an informal character, intended 
for consultation upon the best method of promoting 
the success of the centennial celebration. No roll 
will be called, but the minutes of the last meeting 
will be read. 

Mr. B. H. Haines, clerk, then read the minutes of 
the previous meeting, after which the 

Hon. I>. J. Morrell 

Again addressed the gathering. He said that, at 
the outset, the commission found itself embarrassed 
in not having funds with which to carry on the 
great undertaking. In March a meeting of citi- 
zens of Philadelphia was called to consult on this 
question. The result was the passage of an act by 
Congress, creating a Board of Finance, which was 
empowered to raise $10,000,000, to carry out the 
purposes of the original act. This was on June 1. 
The commission then delegated to the Executive 
Committee the duty of executing the provisions 
of that act, the opening of books for subscription 
and all other necessary work. 

Since then we have been doing what we could in 
that direction. We now find ourselves again em- 
barrassed in not having the funds by which we can 
pay the expenses which must be incurred in the pre- 
liminary work of organizing this board of finance, 
and we again ask the citizens to counsel with us 
and take measures to relieve us of the difficulty. 
Knowing the great interest of Philadelphians in the 



movement we invite their suggestions as to the 
best means of obtaining temporary aid. I am per- 
sonally sanguine of the success of the exhibition, 
more so than some of my colleagues in the commis- 
sion. I have said that Pennsylvania alone would 
furnish all the means required, and I want the citi- 
zens of Philadelphia to make good my predictions 
in the matter. The people are heart and soul with 
us in the movement, and all they want is the assur- 
ance that we will faithfully perform our part of the 
great work. I desire that Mr. John L. Shoemaker, 
chairman of the Council Committee on Celebration, 
will address us, and after his remarks an opportu- 
nity will be given to our friends in the city to speak 
on this subject. 

Remarks of John li. Shoemaker. 

Mr. Shoemaker said:— 

Mr. Chairman :— This enterprise has already as- 
sumed such vast proportions that any general de- 
tailed account of its progress and necessities would, 
I fear, occupy considerable time. 

I would therefore suggest that probably the best 
way to bring before this meeting the subject most 
requiring immediate attention will be to have read 
the second, third, fourth and sixth sections of the 
act of Congress incorporating the Centennial Board 
of Finance, and the rules which have been pre- 
pared by your committee for the purpose of carry- 
ing into operation the pr&visions of that act. 

After these papers have been read, the meeting 
would no doubt prefer to hear from some of the 
distinguished gentlemen composing the United 
States Centennial Commission who are present from 
other States, and I would suggest first the name of 
Hon. John V. L. Pruyn, Commissioner for the State 
of New York. 

The clerk then read sectidnf from the act of 
Congress which provides for the* issuing of $10,000,- 
000 of stock for the expenses of the exhibition. 

Board of Finanee and The Rales. 

The clerk then read the following rules, providing 
for the organization of the Centennial Board of 
Finance, &c. :— 

Preamble, Whereas, By the third section of an 
act of Congress, entitled 'An act relative to the 
Centennial International Exhibition, to be held in 
the city of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, in 
the year 1876," approved June 1, 1872, it is provided, 
That books of subscription shall be opened by the 
United States Centennial Commission under such 
rules as it may prescribe, and an opportunity 
shall be given, during a period of one hundred 
days, to the citizens of each State and Territory, 
to subscribe for stock of the Centennial Board of 
Finance incorporated by said act, and authorized 
to issue stock to an amount not exceeding ten mil- 
lions of dollars, in shares of ten dollars each, and 
to be offered to the several States and Territories 
in the ratio of their population ; 

Now, therefore. The United States Centennial 
Commission, in pursuance of the authority con- 
tained in said act, do adopt and establish the fol- 



lowing rules for the opening of books of subscrip- 
tion to the stock of the said Centennial Board of 
Finance, to enable absent stockholders to vote by 
proxv, and to provide for the organization of said 
corporation. 

Rule 1. Books of subscriptions for stock of the 
Centennial Board of Finance, will be provided by 
the commission, containing blank subscription cer- 
tificates, forms of subscription and marginal 
record, as follows : — 



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Rule 2. Subscription certificates prepared under 
the foregoing rule, shall be sent to the agency in 
eacli State and Territory in the ratio of popula- 
tion, as hereinafter provided. 



Bule3. Each subscription certificate, and the 
marginal blank to which it is attached, shall be 
numbered in consecutive order. The numbering 
for each State and Territory shall be contained 
within certain limits, the lowest and the highest 
number being fixed for each, as, for example, Wy- 
oming, 1 to 236; Arizona. 237 to 500, and so on, as 
may be proper when the books are issued, the 
object being to prevent any repetition of numbers, 
and, at the same time, to permit the independent 
issue of numbered scrip at different places. 

Rule 4 The agents of the commission for secur- 
ing subscriptions to the stock in each State or 
Territory, shall be appointed in the following 
manner: — 

The Centennial Commissioner and the alternate 
commissioner from each State or Territory, or 
either of them, in the absence of the other, together 
with such corporators for such State and Terri- 
tory as may attend a meeting to be called by the 
commissioner or alternate for the purpose, shall 
designate one or more national or other banks, or 
one or more bankers iu good standing, to receive 
subscriptions and the amounts paid thereon, and 
to issue said subscription certificates or receipts. 
The money so received shall be held by such banks 
or bankers subject to the order of The Centennial 
Board of Finance, when organized ; and until such 
organization, to the order of the commissioner or 
alternate commissioner, and at least two of the 
said corporators for the State or Territory in which 
the fund is deposited. 

Rule 5. The Executive Committee of the Com- 
mission will inform the commissioner and alternate 
commissioner of each State and Territory of the 
day on or before which the books are to be opened. 
The call for a meeting of the corporators shall be 
issued in season to secure a meeting and the desig- 
nation of a bank or banks at which the subscrip- 
tions shall be received before the time arrives for 
opening the books. The commission will furnish 
blanks to be used in calling meetings, as aforesaid, 
in each State and Territory. 

Rule 6. The one hundred days provided for by 
law shall date in each State and Territory from the 
time of opening the books of subscription in such 
State or Territory. After the expiration of the 
period of one hundred days the agents shall close 
and forward their respective books of subscriptions 
to the office of the commission in Philadelphia, re- 
taining a duplicate registry of said subscriptions in 
their possession, blanks for which registry will be 
furnished by the commission. 

Rule 7. Certificates of subscription shall not be 
issued until at least two dollars per share have been 
paid thereon ; and when issued shall be properly- 
filled out, dated, and signed by the agent, in ac- 
cordance with rule 4, for the State or Territory. 
The marginal blank shall bear a number corre- 
sponding to that upon the subscription certificate, 
and shall also be duly filled out and be signed by 
the person to whom the certificate is delivered. 

Rule 8. Applications for stock may be made in 
person to the agent, or by mail. Upon the receipt 



4 



of any such application by mail, accompanied by 
the required payment, the authorized agent shall 
transmit to the applicant a subscription as provided 
by rule 1, and shall fill up the marginal blank ac- 
cordingly, and the application shall be correspond- 
ingly numbered and placed on file. 

For the purpose of facilitating subscriptions for 
the stock, blank forms of application will be printed 
for distribution. 

Rule 9. The following form*of proxy may be used, 
and shall be distributed by the agents for the con- 
venience of subscribers. 

Form of Proxy for voting for the First Board of 

Directors of the Centennial Board of Finance. 
(Incorporated by act of Congress, approved June 1, 

1872.) 

187 

I do hereby authorize and empower .for 

me and in my name to vote upon shares 

of stock in said corporation held by me, No at 

the meeting of the corporators and subscribers for 
said stock, called by the United States Centennial 
Commission, and to be held at Philadelphia, State 
of Pennsylvania, for the purpose of electing the 
First Board of Directors of said Corporation. 

(Name of Subscriber.) 
(Address.) 

Rule 10. A copy of these rules will be furnished 
to each of the agents appointed, in accordance 
with Rule 4. 

Here follows the table, which we published on 
Wednesday, showing the population of the States 
and Territories and the amount of stock of the Cen- 
tennial Board of Finance to which they are sever- 
ally entitled to subscribe. 

State or Popula- 

Territory. tion. 

New York 4,382,759 

Pennsylvania 3,521,951 

Ohio 2,665,260 

Illinois 2,539,891 

Missouri 1,721,295 

Indiana 1,680,637 

Massachusetts 1,457,351 

Kentucky 1,321,011 

Tennessee 1,258,520 

Virginia 1,225.163 

Iowa 



1,194,020 

Georgia 1,184,109 

Michigan 1,184,059 

North Carolina 1,071,361 

Wisconsin 1,054,670 

Alabama 996,992 

New Jersey 9 o6',096 

Mississippi 827,922 

Texas 818,579 

Maryland 7 8 o,894 

Louisiana 726,915 

South Carolina 705,606 

Ma ine 626,915 

California 560,247 

Connnecticut 537,454 

Arkansas 484.471 

West Virginia 442,014 



Quota in 


Quota in 


/Shares. 


Dollars. 


113,666 


$1,136,660 


91,341 


913,410 


69,123 


691,230 


65,871 


658,710 


44,641 


446,410 


43,587 


435,870 


37,796 


377,960 


34,260 


342,600 


32,639 


326,390 


31,774 


317,740 


30,967 


309,670 


30,719 


307,100 


30,708 


307,080 


27,785 


277,850 


27,353 


273,530 


25,854 


258.540 


23,499 


234,990 


21,472 


214,720 


21,230 


212,300 


20,252 


202,520 


18,852 


188,520 


18,300 


183,000 


16,258 


162,580 


14,530 


145,300 


13,939 


139,390 


12,565 


125,650 


11,464 


114,640 



State or Fopula- 

Territory. tion. 

Minnesota 439,706 

Kansas 364,399 

Vermont 330,551 

New Hampshire 318,300 

Rhode Island 217,353 

Florida 187,748 

District of Columbia 131,700 

Delaware 125,015 

Nebraska 122,993 

New Mexico 91,874 

Oregon . 90,923 

Utah 86,786 

Nevada 42,491 

Colorado 39,864 

Washington 23,955 

Montana 20,595 

Idaho 14,999 

Dakota 14,181 

Arizona 9,658 

Wyoming 9,118 



Quota in 
Shares. 

11,404 

9,450 

8,573 

8,255 

5,637 

4,869 

3,417 

3,242 

3,190 

2,383 

2,359 

2,251 

1,102 

1,034 

621 

534 

389 

368 

250 

236 



Quota in 
Dollars. 

114,040 

94,500 

85,730 

82.550 

56,370 

48,690 

34,170 

32,420 

31,900 

23,830 

23,590 

22,510 

11,020 

10,340 

6,210 

5,340 

3,890 

3,680 

2,500 

2,360 



38,558,371 1,000,000 $10,000,000 

Hon. Williani Prescott Smith, 

Of Maryland, was then called upon, and in response 
said :— This subject which you have given me for a 
text is so large a one that it is impossible to exhaust 
it. In common with all the commissioners I have 
taken a deep interest in the object to be attained. 
The public are very little aware of the magnitude 
of this undertaking, and less aware of the great 
preparations to be made and those already made 
looking to a successful termination of the project. 
Speaking for my own State, I am quite sure that 
the movement mee^s with no opposition or even in- 
difference there. When better understood, how- 
ever, it will meet with patriotic and substantial re- 
sponses, not only from us but from every section in 
the Union. Americans are a people whom it is ne- 
cessary to get up to the highest pitch before deter- 
mination and great results follow. If the plans as 
now laid down are put into operation great will be 
the responses from the entire population of the 
country. The first response should come from 
Pennsylvania, the State in which the great event is 
to be held. This will give the great impelling power 
to the final success of the exhibition. It is a noble 
and patriotic purpose, a purpose if carried out which 
will not only redound to the credit ana prosperity of 
the country and the overwhelming advance of 
Philadelphia, but reflect credit on the American 
name and add largely to that feeling of national 
pride of which our citizens are so justly celebrated. 
The eagle occupies a prominent part in our 
thoughts and speeches, and I never feel happier than 
when I hear an orator on the stump discoursing on 
a national theme. He may be, as most Americans 
are perhaps, platitudinous ; but, nevertheless, when 
his country and her renown is his theme, he may be 
allowed to gush. (Applause.) With the subject 
before us there is a great deal to be done. An old 
friend of mine told me during the war that if we 
failed in the fight it would be for the want of "per- 



vailables."' One consideration to be met is the fear 
of local jealousy. Baltimore having steamboat 
lines feels no jealousy. (Laughter.) We shake 
hands with you on this subject, and will extend 
every aid possible to make the exhibition a success. 
Boston, like Philadelphia, had a great deal to do 
with cradling this event which we are about to 
commemorate. Then there remains the great 
commercial centre, political and financial, too, 
which will materially assist in the good work. We 
cannot but feel that New York will give us her aid, 
and earnestly co-operate in the cause, and I call 
upon the Hon. J. V. L. Pruyn, of New York, as the 
representative of that great State. 

Speech of Hon. J. V. Ij. Prnyn. 

Mr. Pruyn said:— Unless you are entirely im- 
pressed with the general consideration which al- 
ludes to this matter of the exhibition ; unless what 
has occurred in the past eighteen months has 
aroused our interest in this subject, I should utterly 
despair of attempting to say anything now which 
would lead you to think and do that which your po- 
sition and all the circumstances of this occasion 
require. As to the question of the locality of the 
exhibition, and the influence which it may exercise, 
I can only say that, so far as New York is concerned, 
I never have heard a word of disapprobation to the 
legislation of Congress which fixed upon Philadel- 
phia as the site of the exhibition for reasons stated 
in the preamble of the act, which, I think, are satis- 
factory to all the country. (Applause.) And I be- 
lieve that New York, when the time comes, will 
thoroughly and cordially unite in doing everything 
in its power and within its duty toward promoting 
the interests and toward advancing the character, 
if it were possible, of this exhibition. To adopt the 
playful tune, I might complain, as did Mr. Smith, 
on that subject more justly than anybody else, 
for I came first from the city of Albany, in 
which we started the ball rolling in 1751, 
where the first meeting of delegates 
was held, at which Dr. Franklin was present, and 
at which time the first organized movement took 
place in favor of Ameriean unity for the protection 
of our rights and our liberties. I frankly admit, 
however, that we in New York have never com- 
plained of the decision of Congress, and concede 
everything to Philadelphia. (Applause.) And now, 
sir, supposing that the magnitude of this exhibition 
is thoroughly appreciated and understood by the 
people of Philadelphia, I want to add a few words 
in regard to the financial aspect of the affair, and 
in regard to the means to be used for the purpose 
of insuring its success. And I wish to say at the 
outset, and thinking, as do the members of the 
commission, that in organizing this exhibition, if 
for no other reasons than those set out in the pre- 
amble of the act of Congress, the General Govern- 
ment ought to have provided everything requisite 
fortius purpose, whether the exhibition was in Phila- 
delphia, or in New York, or in any other place. 
I think every intellinent American regrets that the 
government did not do so. For if we wish really 
that this centennial exhibition should be marked 



by everything which characterizes the growth and 
prosperity and the power of our country, it be- 
comes the duty of the whole country to see that it 
is properly inaugurated and carried out. 

I have lately felt mortified in regard to this mat- 
ter when called on to explain the circumstances at- 
tending the progress of this affair by people abroad. 
I have recently returned from Europe, and I will 
have something to say about the Vienna Exhibi- 
tion. My mortification has been great that our 
government should have said at the outset in this 
act that this is a great occasion, to be marked by 
appropriate ceremonies, and that the exhibition is 
to do everything which can tend to lift up the coun- 
try above all the days of the past century, and still 
added the words, "but it shall not cost us one dol- 
lar." This is the humiliating position we are placed 
in before the world. It is true that even if Con- 
gress had made an appropriation which would be 
adequate for this purpose there would have been 
enough incidental expenses to have fallen upon the 
people of this locality, without taxing them any 
more. Now that a scheme is presented to raise 
money, a scheme that is more of a commercial than 
a patriotic one, let us do all we can to carry it out. 

The speaker continued at some length to review 
the scheme under consideration. He thought the 
railroad corporations would take largely of the 
stock, but much would depend upon the action of 
Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. At least five mil- 
lions of dollars would have to be raised at once to 
make this project a success. The way of raising 
this money must now be fixed. This work must 
drop unless money is forthcoming promptly. We 
have not a day to spare in this matter. The history 
of other expositions shows a great weakness in the 
matter of raising money in advance. That of Aus- 
tria now lags in importance from the fact that the 
funds are insufficient. Everybody should sub- 
scribe from motives of patriotism, and not from 
the mere hope of gain. Profit may and will come, 
but this should not be made the bare and only mo- 
tive of patronage. We should be assured by next 
May that we have adequate funds for the carrying 
out of the project. 

Mr. Pruyn alluded to the fact that the United 
States would be but poorly represented at the 
Vienna Exposition in 1873, in consequence of the 
fact that no funds had been provided for the ex- 
penses of the commissioner to that exposition, and 
stated that if we take no interest in the Austrian 
Exposition Austria will take very little in ours. 
He proposed that Philadelphia and other corpora- 
tions, and merchants, manufacturers and inventors, 
throughout the country, should subscribe some 
thousands of dollars, in order to enable our com- 
missioner, Mr. Van Buren, to make a fair repre- 
sentation of the resources and products of our 
country, and perhaps they can send one or more 
representatives from Philadelphia. 

The speaker then read extracts from a letter 
from Vienna, showing how an American citizen 
there received the action of our government in 
reference to the Vienna Exposition, and giving a 



6 



r 



detailed description of the buildings now in course 
of erection for the event. Instead of giving the 
extracts, we herewith print the letter in full :— 

The Vienna Exposition. 

Vienna, July 31, 1872.— The Honorable Hamilton 
Fish, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C— Sir:— 
The gigantic preparations going on in this city for 
the international exhibition, to be held in Vienna 
next summer, and the measures which not only 
European Governments,but also the remotest coun- 
tries of the world are taking, to be able to partici- 
pate in this grand enterprise, could not but excite 
my surprise at the inactivity of the United States, 
which I can only account for by attributing it to the 
want of suitable information as to the nature and 
magnitude of this exhibition. 

The impressions I have gained from a residence 
of nearly twenty years in the United States gave 
me the decided conviction that the American peo- 
ple could as readily as other nations contribute to 
this general work for the benefit of all mankind, by 
exhibiting the evidences of American skill, should 
the opportunity be presented to them by our gov- 
ernment, as it deserves. 

Acting under this persuasion I took the liberty 
of writing, already in March of the present year, a 
letter on the subject as an American citizen, to the 
Hon. John Jay, our representative at the Imperial 
Court of Vienna. A reply from the American le- 
gation informed me that a copy of my communi- 
cation would be transmitted to your department. 
In doing myself the honor to address you to-day, 
without being called upon to give my further hum- 
ble views, I do so actuated by the desire of being 
serviceable to the people of the United States. 

it is greatly to be regretted that the first resolu- 
tion of our Congress relative to the exhibition 
should comprise no further steps than the one 
taken. What has been done so far appears as if it 
had merely been rushed through before adjourn- 
ment, as an act of courtesy to the Austrian Gov- 
ernment without the main question being at all 
ventilated, viz., How to secure to the people the 
full benefits to be derived from the occasion ; for it 
is impossible to suppose that Congress did not at- 
tach so much value to the vast amount of knowl- 
edge that must result from such a competition of 
nations as not at least to vote the expenses of send- 
ing over also scientific men for the acquirement of 
such knowledge, since all the world will be more 
or less reoresented, and, at all events, Austria and 
the whole Empire of Germany will come forth with 
their entire industrial and artistic strength. 

Truly discouraging in this resolution is the in 
difference shown about providing for the compen- 
sation of professional persons to study the useful 
combinations of science and industrial art, which 
in many cases can only be done by examination of 
models and specimens, as also about facilitating t o 
our citizens the attendance at the exhibition, which 
they can only arrive at in the way prescribed by 
the general regulations. However, I think the 
American people, so justly proud of their nation- 
ality, when duly informed of the character of the 



exhibition, and of our present position with regard 
to the undertaking, will soon manifest so great an 
interest in it as to induce the Executive Govern- 
ment to take upon itself the responsibility incurred 
by an anticipation of subsequent resolutions of 
Congress. This question will certainly present 
itself to you, and as the feasibility of such a pro- 
ceeding was shown on the occasion of 1867 (Paris), 
fully approved of by Congress on the 15th of July, 
1866, and thus a precedent established, I may con- 
fidently trust that the extraordinary circumstances 
prevailing in this instance, will elicit a decision in 
favor of the same proceeding. 

In consequence of the delay which has occurred 
with us in initiating and organizing the work in 
conformity with the general regulation useless ap- 
plications for space from nearly all our States are 
daily coming to the chief manager, and also, very 
frequently, inquiries to the American consulate in 
this city. This affords the proofs that the benefits 
from the exhibition are well appreciated by our 
people. I, therefore, feel no hesitation in most re- 
spectfully soliciting your attention to the subject 
and to the danger I apprehend that, unless we can 
make up for the time that has already been lost, we 
shall never succeed in effecting anything like a fair 
representation of the industrial and natural re- 
sources of the country. For the attainment of this 
end allow me to suggest that the most efficient 
measures would no doubt be to establish as soon as 
possible a central office for applications from all 
States, in New York, under the authority and aus- 
pices of your department, and to- distribute and 
publish an official pamphlet containing the proper 
directions 

Further appointments of commissioners will not 
come too late when Congress meets in December, 
and it wiil probably be easier after the elections to 
find, besides the professional men, a sufficient num- 
ber of commissioners who are qualified and have 
the leisure and inclination for the duties of their 
office. But it is evident that some official steps 
should at once be taken to convey to the public 
means of knowing how to act. If this is done a 
good deal may yet be accomplished. The pro- 
grammes and regulations comprising all the need- 
ful information have been sent to you through the 
Austrian representative at Washington, and also r 
by Mr. Fay. 

The work of many of the foreign commissioners 
not being far enough advanced to enable them to 
apprise the chief manager about what space they 
will require, no more applications are accepted for 
the present from Austria and Germany. The actual 
entries in Austria now amount to 14,000, and Ger- 
many till now contributes about 8000 exhibitors. 

The leading idea is to show how practical science 
has been applied to industry in the different coun- 
tries of the universe, and the Americans, occupying, 
in this respect, so high a rank, their contributions 
are naturally esteemed of great importance, so that 
as I was glad to find, Baron Schwarz intends to re- 
serve the space for us as long as possible. 

The buildings erected for the exhibition are of a 






7 



grandeur hitherto unexampled. They are admira- 
bly situated in the Imperial Park, called the 
"Prater," close to the city, and will probably be 
completed and ready by the end of November. 
Nearly five thousand men are constantly engaged 
on the grounds. The principal places for general 
exhibition, excepting for machinery, agriculture 
and fine arts, there being separate buildings for 
these, is 3000 feet in height by 80 in width, inter- 
sected at right angles by 32 buildings, each 250 feet 
deep and 50 feet wide, with independent entrances 
from the park. Over each entrance the name and 
colors of the country will be displayed to which 
the departments belong, and the different countries 
will occupy the latter, according to their geo- 
graphical position, Japan at the eastern, and the 
United States at the western end of the palace. 

It is obvious that in order to make good use of 
the space allotted to us at least the same official aid 
to our people is required as was given to them for 
the Universal Exposition of Paris in 1867. 

Begarding the monetary provision by Congress, 
permit me to mention that for instance the Go- 
vernment of Switzerland, such a very small coun- 
try in comparison to ours, has appropriated 400,000 
francs, and the French Government, after first re- 
fusing to allow funds for the purpose, saying that 
all the money they could raise was needed for pay- 
ing off the debt of war still due to Germany, has 
finally granted 1,500 000 francs. 

If our display in the palace on the western end, 
which happens to be nearest to the city, should fail 
to do credit to the Stars and Stripes proudly waving 
above it, owing to Congress not having affordedtue 
proper aid, this would hardly be considered by Eu- 
ropeans in harmony with the astonishing financial 
display of our couutry. Such a failure might be 
construed as an apprehension on our part to lose 
the reputation we have conquered in London and 
Paris through the exertions of comparatively but 
few exhibitors. 

I beg to repeat the statement I made in my letter 
to Mr. Jay, that I should be unable to accept an ap- 
pointment, and may now say that, remaining in 
Vienna until after the exhibition, I shall be happy 
to have it in my power to make my services in a 
private way acceptable to any of the gentlemen be- 
longing to an American commission. 

In conclusion, let me add that a law was lately 
passed by both housesof the Austrian Parliament for 
the protection of foreign objects in the exhibition 
against piracy of inventions and designs, every 
foreign exhibitor can apply for a certificate, which 
secures to him the priority for obtaining an Aus- 
trian patent for his article, and such certificate will 
be issued free of charge. Moreover, I hear from 
Mr. Kirch, an American citizen, representing 
in this city the large manufacturing interest of 
Wheeler & Wilson, in New York, that the Austrian 
Government, in a correspondence opened with the 
American legation, is showing a disposition to con- 
cede to Americans (in deviation of the existing re- 
gulations for patents) the right to import from the 
United States their articles patented in Austria 



without losing their patent when not manufactur- 
ing here. Thus the Austrian Government is doing 
all in their power to favor us. 

Hoping that my desire to see the space which is 
reserved for the United States occupied creditably 
by our country will be accepted by you as an apol- 
ogy for my suggestions, I have the honor to be, 
with great respect, your obedient servant, 

Frederick Hornbostel. 

The Chair hoped that the meeting would hear 
from some representative of Philadelphia. 

Remarks of General Wagner. 

General Louis Wagner, president of Common 
Council, then arose and said :— 

I regret very much the absence of the Mayor of 
Philadelphia, who represents this municipality, and 
the president of Select Council being likewise ab- 
sent, I feel it my duty to respond. I am pleased to 
say that the City Councils have met all the expen- 
ses of the commission thus far. and voted upon 
the appropriation unanimously. We fully appre- 
ciate the importance of the movement and the 
benefits to arise to Philadelphia from the holding 
of the exposition in this city. 

But with reference to the expenses of building 
the structures, he would say that under the consti- 
tutional law the city could not subscribe to the 
stock. Upon my own responsibility I am perfectly 
safe in saying that whatever amount Philadelphia 
may be called upon to give she will give it cheer- 
fully. Our merchants, bankers, business men and 
corporations will no doubt subscribe liberally. 
They are present and can speak for themselves. 
Philadelphia, lam prepared to say, will not be be- 
hind in this movement. She fullv appreciates the 
mark of honor conferred upon her by the General 
Government in selecting this city as the site for the 
great exposition. The enterprise shall not fail for 
the want of funds. The character and credit of 
Philadelphia will not permit it. 

James Ii. Clagnorn, Esq., 

Then offered the following resolution:— 

Resolved, That the chairman of this meeting, 
after consultation with citizens, be requested to ap- 
point a committee of ten to provide means for the 
pieliminary expenses of the commission. 

Samuel O. Kins* Esq., 

Seconded the resolution. He had no fear that the 
exhibition would prove a failure. Far from it. 
The resolution offered was a practical solution of 
the problem. He advocated the appointment of 
auxiliary committees, and advised the General 
Committee to commence work at once. He knew 
that Philadelphia would be the first to respond, 
and her subscriptions would be liberal and freely 
given. 

The Chair then put the resolution, and it was un- 
animously carried. 

Speech of Hon. John Sicotft. 

The Hon. John Scott, United States Senator from 
Pennsylvania, was called upon for a few remarks. 
In response, he said :— 



8 



I have, in common with every citizen of Phila- 
delphia, watched with interest the initiatory steps 
and progress of the movement intended to bring 
about the great exposition in 1876. The official 
position I occupy requires that the pleasure I take 
in this movement shall be made a duty, and, there- 
fore, I give expression to it. The enterprise has 
passed its period of opposition. 

There was an apparent opposition to it at one 
time in a certain quarter, but now that it has dis- 
appeared, we hope to have a hearty co-operation 
from that same quarter. We now come down to 
the practical point of this enterprise, and it strikes 
me upon recurring to the act of incorporation that 
all that is necessary to make it a success is to carry 
out the suggestions of that act. My only regret is 
that there was not enough patriotic feeling in Con- 
gress to give you an appropriation. The first thing 
to be done is to put each of the representatives at 
large and those in the districts at work. Let them 
rouse up the people to the importance of the move- 
ment, and I venture to assert that flattering re- 
sponses will be made from every section of the 
country, and there will be no necessity of an ap- 
peal to the commercial or speculative world. It 
should be their duty to see that the people were 
fully acquainted with the object and importance of 
the undertaking. 

Then if, after one hundred days have elapsed, 
the total amount is not realized, Pennsylvania and 
Philadelphia alone should put their shoulders to 
the wheel and let not the project fail. I cannot see 
that there will be any necessity of an appeal to the 
commercial men of the country. The memory of 
Eobert Morris alone should inspire the people of 
this city to a full realization of their duty, and if 
there were nothing else the industrial interests 
should bear the burden and make the exhibition a 
success. Then we will show that our country in a 
hundred years has planted more mile stones on 
the highway of progress than any other country in 
the world. (Applause.) 

Commissioner Adams, of Florida. 

J. S. Adams, Commissioner of Florida, was then 
called upon, and in a brief address asserted that we 
have only to publish our plans, and our forty mil- 
lions of people will promptly furnish the funds. 
Tell the people what a monument to our country's 
greatness you propose to build, and there is not a 
widow in the land who would not scrape up money 
enough to take a share. (Applause.) This might 
be called "gush," but it is the kind of sentiment we 
need now, as it was the sentiment that urged our 
fathers to give us the heirloom of liberty we have 
here. (Applause.) We have the machinery all 
here and the power, but what we need is the putting 
of it in gear. When that is accomplished the great 
centennial will be a success. 

Speech of Hon. Leonard Myers. 

The Hon. Leonard Myers, upon call, then ad- 
dressed the meeting. He said :— I only rise to your 
call to compliment the Centennial Commissioners 



and the Executive Committee upon their proceed- 
ings, and upon the steps taken thus far toward 
rendering a success a celebration which cannot fail 
to prove a benefit to this country- There has been 
no delay except that which was natural under the 
circumstances, and the project therefore must be a 
grand success. Every American must feel a pride 
in the great event, which gathers together the 
world's products and establishes the growth of our 
country. This meeting is for practical purposes. 
My friend Pruyn, of New York, has spoken of the 
fact that Congress failed to make any appropria- 
tion for the purpose. You must remember that a 
great many of the Congressmen are endowed with 
an economical spirit— especially those coming from 
the rural districts. 

I cannot fail to say that the appropriation was 
never asked. The Franklin Institute in this city, 
which first broached the subject, offered to erect 
the buildings, but it has not been done, because 
when an application was made to the Legislature 
to incorporate a company to raise the means, the 
patriotic members of the United States Commis- 
sion, and I thank them for it, said "No, it will 
then be termed a local matter; let us make it nat- 
ional." Subsequently it assumed a national cha- 
racter, and the act of incorporation was passed. 
He could see no drawback at present. An appro- 
priation of $20,000 should have been inserted in the 
bill creating the board of finance, to pay for the 
printing of the certificates. This would have been 
done had not the bills been hurried through prior 
to adjournment, but had no doubt it would yet 
be made. The secretary is bound to print them. 
If the sum is guaranteed he knew the work would 
be commenced at once, I am glad to know that 
the corporators selected in each case are men of 
the very best class, and I hope they will meet— the 
whole seven hundred and twenty— in this city. I 
believe it will be the greatest and wisest conven- 
tion ever held here. (Applause.) We are now 
upon the very threshold of the project, and when 
we go out to the country our appeal will meet with 
a hearty response. 

Colonel Daniels, of Virginia. 

Colonel Daniels, of Eichmond, Virginia, was the 
next speaker. He said:— Virginia, as you know, 
lies to-day prostrate, financially, impoverished by 
a false system of industry and the theatre of a five 
years' war. She now turns to her early days, and the 
sentiments of the great men who wrote their names 
with Morris and Hancock, and shared the priva- 
tions and trials of our early history. Whatever 
may be said of Virginia ; what may have been her 
errors, all her people remember that time, and 
they will strive to commemorate the event and 
make it a success. They will talk over this cen- 
tennial, they will gather from mountain sides and 
bring with them their products, if they do not 
give you money they will give you assurances of 
their patriotism. Virginia will stand side by side 
with Pennsylvania in the great industrial resources. 
She is going to accept the idea of nationality, go 
back and imbibe the old spirit. She will be the 



9 



new Virginia, and one of the great resources of 
strength in the edifice of the future. She may ask 
you to p ly some of her share in establishing the 
great exposition, but she will pay back five hun- 
dred fold in the future in patriotic love, in emula- 
ting your industrial achievement hereafter. (Ap- 
plause. ) 

J. 53. Iiippiucott, Esq. 

Mr. William Prescott Smith at this time ad- 
dressed the chair, saying that Mr. J. B. Lippin- 
cott, of this city, who had just left the room, had 
proposed to be instrumental in raising $1,000,000 for 
the Centennial Board of Finance. He hoped he 
(Mr. L.) would be made a member of the Commit- 
tee of Ten under the resolution adopted. (Applause). 

The Chair answered that he would see that the 
gentleman was made one of the committee. 

Colonel J. Ross Snonden. 

Colonel J. Ross Snowden, chairman of the Cen- 
tennial Committee of the Pennsylvania Historical 
Society, was then called upon for a few remarks, 
and, in response, returned thanks to the gentlemen 
of the commission for the efforts made by them in 
bringing about success to the great event, which 
he hoped would overshadow all expositions of the 
kind ever held in the world. He advised the com- 
missioners to go on ; that the impulse of the coun- 
try would sustain them. Pennsylvania and Phila- 
delphia would do their share, and other sections of 
the country would nobly respond. 

He wanted to see the exhibition a success in a 
commercial point of view, and he had no doubt but 
that would be the case. He thought that a single 
medal, if sold, would bring in hundreds of thous- 
ands of dollars. In conclusion, Mr. Snowden said 
he was delighted to hear the views of the gentle- 
men present, and the occasion appeared to him to 
be a renewal of the 4th of July, 1776. 

John V. JL. Prnyn, ofKew Yorh, 

Said he hoped he had been understood. He was 
gratified to find such a concentrated and patriotic 
spirit prevailing among the people of this State and 
city, and from what they had said he predicted a 
successful termination of the movement. If other 
States failed Philadelphia would step in and do all, 
was a remark which he was pleased to hear. 
Adjournment. 
On motion the meeting then adjourned. 



MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMIT- 
TEE. 

The closing session of the Executive Committee 
for the present was held at the Continental Hotel 
last evening, Mr. Morrell in the chair. 

Robert H. Lamborn, member of the commission 
from Wyoming, and A. J. Sweeney, member from 
West Virginia, were present, 

The committee had a long, laborious and import- 
ant meeting, and did not adjourn until after eleven 
o'clock. 

Some of the members of the committee who have 
not previously visited the Park, went out yesterday 



afternoon in the rain and viewed the grounds in 
order to be more familiar with the place where the 
proposed exposition is to be held, and to become 
familiar with the capability of the place. 

After their return the committee went into ex 
ecutive session at the Continental, parlor 16. The 
time of opening the exposition was considered, 
and some details concerning the rules and various 
subjects affecting the preparations of the organi- 
zation of the Centennial Board of Finance, and 
the subject of informing the people of the work of 
the commission, and what was necessary to be done 
towards the exposition, were discussed. 

The proposed visit of the Committee of Thirteen, 
appointed at the last general meeting in Philadel- 
phia to visit Cincinnati, was brought up. There is 
to be at Cincinnati a meeting of the Committee on 
Classification, and from present indications it 
would appear that there will be a quorum of the 
entire commission present at that place on the 11th 
of September next. 

Since the last meeting here the invitation to at- 
tend has been made general, audit is probable that 
more than a quorum of the commission will go, so 
that an informal meeting may possibly be held 
there before the one in DecemDer in this city. 

A number of matters of minor importance were 
left to be arranged by Mr. Morrell, as chairman of 
the Executive Committee, such as the appointment 
of the committee of ten, alluded to in the report of 
the meeting at Independence Hall in the morning. 



Editorial Notice from The Philadelphia Inquirer, 
Aug. 30, 1872; 

Jnly Fourth, 1876. 

Yesterday the Executive Committee of the 
Centennial Commission assembled in our city, 
and were joined by a large number of our 
citizens prominent in mercantile, financial 
and professional circles. There was a free 
interchange of opinions between the com- 
missioners and Philadelphians, the end 
sought to be gained by the assemblage being 
the preliminary means needed for a proper 
celebration of the one hundredth anniversary 
of the nation in the city where it was 
founded, and the fact of its existence pro- 
claimed, in no uncertain tones, to all the 
world. 

A spirit of hearty enthusiasm pervaded the 
meeting of yesterday, commissoners and citi- 
zens expressing a determination to leave 
nothing undone which would in the least con- 
tribute to a proper celebration of the first 
centennial of the American Republic. Cer- 
tainly men never had higher motives to spur 
them on in the fulfilment of a grand under- 
taking than have the Centennial Commis- 
sioners and the citizens of our own city. The 
centenary we are to celebrate commemorates 



10 



the one hundredth anniversary of a marvel 
among nations ancient and modern. Under 
Providence three millions of people scattered 
along a narrow margin of the Atlantic sea- 
board in 1776, without money, credit, forts, 
army, navy, or aught else to constitute a na- 
tion, proclaimed themselves free and inde- 
pendent. And in ninety-six years of growth 
they raised their banner high among the 
highest of the powers of the earth, respected, 
feared, looked up to with wonder and admira- 
tion. Rich in all the elements of material 
wealth, now as ninety-six years ago, free and 
independent, a refuge for the oppressed 
throughout the world, the three millions of 
people swollen to forty millions, with an area 
of land still unoccupied greater in extent than 
all the settled districts combined, and thrown 
open freely to all who choose to come and 
avail themselves of the advantages of a rich 
country and a free government — enough and 
more than enough to make the most staid and 
matter-of-fact people dizzy with a justifiable 
pride. It behooves Americans, therefore, 
and especially Philaclelphians, to continue 
diligent in the good work of preparing for 
the centennial. The time for its celebration 
is still distant, but a task of more than ordi- 
nary magnitude is to be performed mean- 
while. The commissioners have done, and 
are doing, well, and they deserve the hearty 
co-operation, not only of Philaclelphians, but 
of all Americans, and of friends of freedom 
everywhere. The Fourth of July, 1876, will 
be an anniversary for liberty throughout the 
world, with its headquarters in the city from 
whence the bells first proclaimed the glad 
boon of freedom to men, irrespective of color, 
creed or country. 



Editorial Notice from the Public Ledger and Daily 
Transcript, Philadelphia, Ang. 30, 1872. 

The ''Centennial" Meeting. 

If the Fourth of July, 1876, and its great 
Centennial Exposition w r ere not four years 
distant in the future, there would have been 
no occasion for such a meeting as that held 
yesterday. Nor would there have been any 
necessity for such a meeting in any other of 
the great nations of the world. But here in 
our country it happens that the people have 
become so accustomed to seeing the work of 
generations begun and finished within a few 
years, to compressing the labor of years 
into a few months, that they are slow to 



comprehend the necessity of preparing for 
a celebration while the day to be celebrated 
is yet four years away in futurity. It is, 
therefore, necessary to stimulate them into 
action by impressing it forcibly upon their 
minds that there are some works in 
which time, and long 
too, are indispensable 
that such a work as 
Exhibition to be held 



periods of time 

for preparation ; 

the International 

in 1876 is one of 



them; and that the three years and ten months 
which now intervene between us and the 
Grand Centennial are not a month too long 
for the adequate accomplishment of what is 
to be done. The people of Great Britain and 
of France were made to comprehend this 
without difficulty when the plans, the ways 
and means, and so forth, of their great expo- 
sitions were under consideration, and they 
commenced action when the days of opening 
were yet far off. But, as we have said, it is 
quite different with Americans, and the diffi- 
culty of getting them to begin the active work 
of preparation four years in advance, makes 
such an effort as that of yesterday a necessity. 
It is not to be understood, however, that 
no work has been done. Thanks to the in- 
dustry and devotion of the Centennial Com- 
missioners, and to the zeal and attention of 
our local committees, a great deal has been 
accomplished. Their duties, as far as they 
have the present ability to proceed, have been 
fully discharged and w r ell discharged. They 
have now arrived at that point when but 
little progress can be made without the aid of 
the great motor of all such enterprises- 
money. A work that requires millions of 
dollars, and for which the requisite millions 
will unquestionably be forthcoming, is now 
retarded because of the lack of the few thou- 
sands necessary to pay for the engraving and 
printing of the certificates of stock for the ten 
millions authorized by act of Congress to be 
raised by the Centennial Board of Finance. 
This is about the same as if the machinery of 
a great manufacturing establishment were at 
a standstill for want of cash to buy a box of 
matches to set fire to the fuel under the 
steam boilers. Congress, in its haste at the 
close of the last session, left the affairs of the 
Centennial Board of Finance in this condition. 
The board was authorized to raise ten 
millions of dollars ; the Secretary of 
the Treasury was authorized and di- 
rected to have the certificates of stock 
engraved and printed ; and then Congress 



11 . 



adjourned without appropriating the twenty 
thousand dollars or so to pay for the plates, 
the paper and the printing. It will not do to 
wait until the next session of C^gpgress for 
the money, and the secretary cannot, without 
personal risk, expend money not appropri- 
ated. The cash will, therefore, have to be 
advanced. How to get the advance, as we 
understand the matter, is one of the questions 
pressing upon the Centennial Commissioners, 
and one of the impel) ing causes of the meet- 
ing yesterday. There ought to be no diffi- 
culty whatever about that matter. We do 
not believe there is any difficulty, except 
w r hat arises out of the natural hesitancy on 
the part of many gentlemen in making 
appeals for money aid. If that sum cannot 
be guaranteed in this town, it will be a new 
thing in the history of Philadelphia. There 
should be no delay in putting the matter to a 
practical test. 

With respect to other phases of the subject 
mentioned in the discussion, yesterday, we 



entirely concur with Mr. Prescott Smith, of 
Maryland, and Mr. Pruyn, of New York, 
that Philadelphia should take the active lead 
in subscriptions to the capital to be raised by 
the Board of Finance. We do not doubt that 
she will whenever the opportunity shall be 
presented. The quota of less than a million 
of dollars apportioned to the State of Penn- 
sylvania should all be subscribed in Philadel- 
phia alone, leaving to the rest of the State 
the honor of taking whatever may remain 
unabsorbedof the quotas apportioned to other 
States There are more than a hundred 
thousand people in this city who can well 
afford to subscribe and pay for, on such easy 
terms, an average of one share apiece — there 
are more than five hundred thousand such 
people in the State. But as yet, for the 
reasons already stated, there are no subscrip- 
tion books open. Get them ready, and we 
shall soon have, not only Philadelphia taking 
the lead as suggested, but the whole United 
States at work. 



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